Means for releasing music comb vibrators from their plucking elements



T. R. DUNCAN MEANS FOR RE Aug. 7, 1951 2,562,896

LEASING MUSIC COMB VIBRATORS FROM THEIR PLUCKING ELEMENTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 6, 1950 FIG FIG. 2.

FIG. 3.

M m M 0 v \d 1 W1 2\ 2 m 9 m FIG 4 [Ilk I II I 1 55a 22b 22 INVENTOR THEODORE R. DUNCAN AT TOR N EYS Aug. 7, 1951 2,562,896

T. R. DUNCAN MEANS FOR RELEASING MUSIC COMB VIBRATOR FROM THEIR PLUCKING ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 6, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIII'II IIIIII OIIIII [I'll-'- 4' I il J I I 557 90 FIG 84 79 95 96 j 75 2 INVENTOR 4 Z THEODORE R. DUNCAN BY \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\2 6 l v 77 W y/ AAMI ATTORNEYS produces good tonal, qualit Patented Aug. 7, 1951 MEANS FOR RELEAHSING- MUSIC COMB VIBRATORS FROM THEIR PLUCKING ELEMENTS Theodore R. Duncan, North Hollywood, Calif. Application January 6, 1950, Serial No.'137.048

10 Claims.

This invention has to do with music playing devices of the music box type wherein a rotatable element having projections isoperatively associated with a music comb having vibrator teeth which extend into the path of the projections for selective actuation or plucking thereby as the rotatable element is turned.

Music box devices with which I am familiar, particularly those embodying a rotatable drum with radially extending plucking projections or fingers for actuating the vibrators of the music comb, and also those of the type employing a rotatable disk with plucking projections extending laterally therefrom, require relatively close tolerances in manufacture and assembly for the reason that the plucking projections must individually engage and release the vibrators within a limited are or period of movement thereof to have a practicable device.

It is obvious that unless the plucking projections release the vibrators within a short period of travel, the plucking projections have to be spaced relatively far apart and in consequence only a few projections could be placed around the plucking element or drum in the path of each vibrator. Also, it is obvious that as the diameter of the plucking drum is increased, as in an attempt 'to gain a greater number of plucking projections around the drum, the arc of movement of the projections is on a greater radius with the result that the plucking projections do not release the vibrators until the projections have traveled a greater distance than the dis.- tance required for projections on a drum of smaller diameter.

Another disadvantage of music boxes is that, even when the parts are made to rigid specifications and carefully assembled, if the composition to be played requires the close or rapid repetition of the same note, it is necessary to provide two or more vibrators of the same pitch for that note, the vibrators being successively plucked by their own plucking fingers, for the reason that a single vibrator after having been plucked will vibrate into the oncoming plucking elementv unless that element is too far away to quickly pluck the vibrator.

It isv therefore an object of this invention to provide a music box, construction which eliminates the necessity of observing or carrying out close tolerances in the manufacture and assembly of music box devices of the type indicated.

Another object is to provide. an inexpensive construction for music boxes of a character which can easily be manufactured and which A particular object of the invention is to provide a positive means for controlling the escape or release of the vibrator teeth of the music comb after aotuationthereof by the relatively movable plucking projections. In this connection it is an object to provide means for disengaging or releasing the vibrator teeth of the comb from the plucking projections after they have been moved a predetermined distance by the plucking projections of the drum or other actuating element.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a music box construction having relatively movable vibrator teeth and plucking elements therefor, means for camming or diverting the vibrator teeth out of the path of the plucking projections as the teeth are actuated by the projections to thereby positively release the teeth, leaving them free to vibrate.

Another object is to provide means for quickly releasing the vibrators from their plucking elements to enable a single vibrator to be successively plucked in rapid sequence.

These and other objects will be apparent from the drawings and the following description thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. -1 is a plan view of a music box device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a portion of the upper wall of the music box device broken away;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of. Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig- 6 is a sectional elevation of a device embodying another form of the invention, the plane of the. section being indicated by the line 66 of Fig. '7;

Fig. '7 is a plan view, of the deviceof Fig. 6

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 8-43 of Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view as in the plane of. Fig. 4 of another form of the invention.

More particularly describing the invention, refence numeral 10 generally indicates the casing of what will be termed a music box. The casing may be made fromany of a variety of materials and in a form of. the invention shown comprises an upper wall II, a lower wall including a lower section I 2, an upper section I3, and an upright connecting section M. The casing also includes end walls l5 and I6 and side walls I7 and i5.

partially broken away,

The plucking element 25 is shown as comprising a drum including an outer'skin of sheet metal 26 from which projections or fingers 27 have been punched to form means for plucking or actuating the Vibrators 22 of the comb. The skin 26 is reinforced by a pair of cylindrical inserts 38,

and 31 having end flanges 32 and 33, respectively. I The drum as a whole is rptatively mounted on a shaft 34, the ends of which extend through openmgs 1n the side walls of the'casing. One end of V the shaft may be provided with a head 35 and the other end secured as by means of a retaining clip 36, suitable spacers 37 being provided between the casing walls and the inserts 30 and 3|.

For the purpose of rotating the drum, I provide the fiange 33'on insert 3i with gear teeth 39 adapted to mesh with a drive pinion' io secured to-a crankshaft 4| mounted in the side walls of the casing and terminating in a handle 42. The handle should be operated in a clockwise direction to turn the drum counterclockwise and cause the plucking fingers 2'! to selectively engage the vibrator teeth. In a conventional music'box it will be apparent that unless the plucking fingers engage only the very tip end portions of the vibrators, the vibrators will be moved a considerable distance before the fin gers disengage the vibrators. It is a particular feature of my invention that I provide positive means for disengaging or releasing the vibrator teeth from the plucking fingers after the vibrator teeth have been moved a predetermined, given, or desired amount. I accomplish this by what I have termed a dijector or dijector means which will now be described. 7

I- provide means for camming the Vibrator teeth out of the path of the plucking fingers as the same move the vibrators. In the form of the invention illustrated the cammingor deflecting dijector means comprises a strip of metal or other material 50 which is formed to provide end portions which are secured to the side walls of the casing by rivets 52.

'I'hemember 58 is located to lie substantially in a plane at right angles to the plane of the vibrator teethand relatively transversely thereof near the ends of the vibrators but back a short distance from the ends. The edge of the member 5t facing the vibrator teeth is formed toprovide a plurality of angularly disposed cam faces in the path of the respective vibratorsas the same are deflected by the rotating plucking fingers on the drum. By referring to- Figure 1, it

"will be apparent that the plucking fingers 21 engage the teeth or vibrators as the drum rotates and deflect thevibrators until they strike the cam faces 55. The cam faces serve to laterally deflect the vibrators until theyescape past the plucking fingers. For example, it will be apparent that the plucking fingerZ'la in Fig.4 has moved the vibrator 22a into engagement with the cam surface 55a. The next-adjacent plucking finger 21b is shownas having moved the vibrator 22b agreater distance and the vibrator has been deflected laterally by the cam fa'ce 55b nearly to the point of release. In the same figure, the plucking finger 2'l'c is shown in a position just after the vibrator 220 has been released therefrom through lateral deflection caused by the cam surface 550.

It will be apparent that the above means,

which I have referredto as a dijector, enables me to control the release or disengagement of the vibrators from the plucking fingers at any desired point and thereby makes possible the construction of a very efficient music box. With the means described, it will be apparent that release or disengagement of the vibrators from the plucking fingers can be accomplished irrespective of the size of the plucking drum or the amount of overlap of the plucking fingers with the vibrators. In Figs. 6-8 I show a device embodying a rotatable plucking wheel of the disk type and the application of my invention thereto. In these figures, numeral SB generally indicates the casing of a music box. The casing is provided with a bottom wall 6i, andacentrally disposed shaft 62 extends between this wall and a top wall 63. Mounted on the shaft is a rotatable disk 65 which is provided with laterally projecting plucking fingers El, I p

The casing is provided with a vertical depending wall we and with a second depending wall 1 l. Mounted on the wall H is a music comb l9f which is of the same type as the comb l9 previously described. The comb hasvibrators 22' whichextend toward the disk 65 with their end portions positioned in the path of the plucking fingers 5'! which are arranged in concentric paths on the disk. I provide a crankshaft 75 which is mounted in the casing 61! parallel to the shaft 62 and at the perifery of the disk 65. This shaft carries a drive wheel or pinion 16 which engages with teeth 11 formed on the periferyof the disk. At the time of assembly guide flanges it may be pressed on the pi'nionflfi to form lateral guides for the disk. I may also provide bifurcated guide tabs 19 on the casing for the disk.

Assuming the handle on the crankshaft I5 is rotated clockwise in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 7 and that the disk rotates counterclockwise in, the direction of the arrow thereon,

Iprovide'a dijector member 5D immediately be hind'the teeth 22 of the comb, the dijector being mounted at its ends by means of rivets82 and 83 onthe'periferal wall 8 and wall illyrespectively, oft'hecasing."

The operation of the form'of 'the invention shown in Figs. 6-8 is substantially the same as that previously described, the cam faces of the "dijector serving to defiectthe vibratorteethout ofengagement with the plucking fingersatthe desired point. j j

'While in the devices previously describedI have shown the individual plucking fingers as beingforme'd-witha fiat vibrator-engaging face disposed at right angles to the plane-of move-'- ment of the finger, I also contemplate that the pluckin'g'fingers may 'be of other hapes, and, for example, in Fig. 9 I-shbw a plucking element 9!] adaptedto move inthe direction" ofthe arrow. This element is" provided with plucking fingers Sl-l each having a forward vibrator-engagdesired point than where the forward face of the finger is at right angles to the direction of travel.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described, it is contemplated that various changes-and modifications may be made without.v departing from. thewscopathereof as indicated by the following claims;

I claim: 1

1. In a music playing device, a plucking element having projecting plucking fingers, a music comb having elongated vibrators extending-into the path of saidplucking fingers, said element and said comb being relatively movable, and cam means apart from said plucking elementxin the path of movement of each vibrator when actuated by a plucking finger for deflecting the vibrators out of engagement with said fingers after the vibrators have been moved a given distance by the fingers whereby to positively release said vibrators from said fingers.

2. In a music playing device, a plucking element having projecting plucking fingers, a music comb having elongated vibrators extending into the path of said plucking fingers, said element and said comb being relatively movable, and a dijector member positioned behind the vibrators of said comb adjacent the ends thereof, said member being provided with a cam face for each of said vibrators positioned to be engaged by its respective vibrator upon movement thereof under the influence of a plucking finger, said cam faces each being disposed to deflect its respective vibrator out of the path of the plucking finger.

3. In a music playing device, a rotatable plucking element having projecting plucking fingers, a stationary music brators the free ends of which extend into the path of said fingers, and cam means associated with said vibrators for deflecting the vibrators out of engagement with said fingers after the vibrators have been moved a given distance by the fingers whereby to positively release said vibrators from said fingers, said cam means including a surface in the path of movement of each vibrator disposed at an obtuse angle to said path of movement and spaced from the normal position of said vibrator.

4. In a music playing device, a rotatable drumlike plucking element having plucking fingers projecting from the periphery thereof, a stationary music comb having elongated vibrators the free ends of which extend into the path of said fingers, and cam means operatively associated with said vibrators for deflecting the vibrators out of engagement with said fingers after the vibrators have been moved a given distance by the fingers whereby to posiitvely release said vibrators from said fingers, said cam means including a surface in the path of movement of each vibrator disposed at an obtuse angle to said path of movement and spaced from the normal position of said vibrator.

5. In a music playing device, a rotatable disk having concentrically disposed groups of plucking fingers projecting from a side thereof, a stationary music comb having elongated vibrators the free ends of which extend into the path of said fingers, and cam means operatively associated with said vibrators for deflecting the vibrators out of engagement with said fingers after the vibrators have been moved a given distance by the fingers whereby to positively release said vibrators from said fingers, said cam means including a surface in the path of movement f comb having elongated viment having each vibrator disposed at an obtuse angle to said path of movement and spaced from the-normal position of said vibrator.

6. In a music playing device, arotatable plucking element having projecting plucking fingers, a stationary music comb having elongated vibrators the free ends of whichextend into the path of said fingers, and means for disengaging said vibrators from their'respective plucking fingers after the vibrators have been moved a given distance by the fingers comprising a dijector member behind the vibrators adjacent their free ends, said dijector member extending transversely of the vibrators and being provided with a cam face for each vibrator, said cam faces being disposed at obtuse angles to the respective paths of movement of the vibrators when actuated by the plucking fingers whereby to deflect the vibrators laterally with respect to the direction of movement imparted to the vibrators by the plucking fingers and prematurely disengage said vibrators respectively from their associated plucking fingers.

7. In a music playing device, a plucking eleprojecting plucking fingers, a music comb having elongated vibrators extending into the path of said plucking fingers, said vibrators each being of a cross-sectional shape such as to permit of their vibrating in any plane, said element and said comb being relatively movable, and cam means operatively associated with said vibrators for deflecting the vibrators out of engagement with said fingers after the vibrators have been moved a given distance by the fingers whereby to positively release said vibrators from said fingers, said cam means including a surface in the path of movement of each vibrator disposed at an obtuse angle to said path of movement and spaced from the normal position of said vibrator.

8. In a music playing device, a plucking element having projecting plucking fingers, a music comb having elongated vibrators extending into the path of said plucking fingers, said vibrators being substantially circular in cross section, said element and said comb being relatively movable, and cam means operatively associated with said vibrators for deflecting the vibrators out of engagement with said fingers after the vibrators have been moved a given distance by the fingers whereby to positively release said vibrators from said fingers, said cam means including a surface in the path of movement of each vibrator disposed at an obtuse angle to said path of movement and spaced from the normal position of said vibrator.

v9. In a music playing device, a rotatable drumlike plucking element having projecting plucking fingers, a stationary music comb having elongated vibrators the free ends of which extend into the path of said fingers, and means for disengaging said vibrators from their respective plucking fingers after the vibrators have been moved a given distance by the fingers comprising a dijector member behind the vibrators adjacent their free ends, said dijector member extending transversely of the vibrators and being provided with a cam face for each vibrator, said cam faces being disposed at obtuse angles to the respective paths oi movement of the vibrators when actuated by the plucking fingers whereby to deflect the vibra= tors laterally with respect to the direction of movement imparted to the vibrators by the plucking fingers and prematurely disengage said vibrators respectively from their associated plucking fingers.

provided with a cam face 10-. In a music playing device, a rotatable disk plucking element having projecting plucking fingers on one side, a stationary music comb having elongated vibrators the free ends of which extend into the path of said fingers, andmeans for disengaging said vibrators from their respective plucking fingers after the vibrators have been moved a given distance by the fingers comprising a dijector member behind the vibrators adjacent their free endasaid dijectormember extending transversely of the vibrators and being for each vibrator, said cam"facestbeing disposed at obtuse angles to the respective paths of movement of the vibrators when actuated by the plucking fingers whereby to deflect the vibrators laterally with respect to the direction of movement imparted to the vibrators by the plucking fingers and prematurely disengage said vibrators respectively from their associated plucking fingers.

THEODORE R. DUNCAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

